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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

    Published: Jun 6, 2023 by Shannon · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese is a delicious and crowd-pleasing side dish that compliments a variety of meals.

    A pan of baked gluten-free mac and cheese. this recipe

    Mac and Cheese is a classic American side dish that it is loved by both kids and adults alike. And for good reason! What's not to love about tender noodles coated in a creamy cheese sauce and then baked to chewy perfection?! With this creamy Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese recipe, gluten-free eaters can still enjoy this comfort food staple. This GF Mac and Cheese has extra flavor from adding Dijon mustard and hot sauce to the mix - not enough to be predominant flavors in the dish, just enough to add some depth and complexity.

    Serve Gluten-Free Baked Mac and Cheese with Southern Baked Chicken Thighs and American Cole Slaw for a balanced meal.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Recipe
    • Food safety
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    Here's what you need to make Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese:

    Ingredients for gluten-free mac and cheese. Elbow pasta, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, salt, pepper, hot sauce and dijon mustard.
    • milk
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • gluten-free elbow macaroni pasta
    • Dijon mustard
    • hot sauce

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Here's how to make Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese:

    A pot with milk, dijon, hot sauce, salt, pepper and a whisk.

    First, in a pot, cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package directions. Then drain the pasta and return the empty pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the milk, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper to the pot, whisking to combine. Cook and stir until the mixture is hot, 5-10 minutes.

    A pot with cheese sauce.

    Add all but ½ cup of the shredded cheese to the pot with the milk, stirring to combine and continuing to cook and stir until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

    A pot of cheese sauce with pasta added.

    Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cooked and drained pasta. (At this point you can eat the macaroni as is or proceed with the directions to bake it.)

    A casserole dish with mac and cheese spread into it but not yet baked.

    For baked macaroni and cheese, spread the pasta and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes, then cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.

    Hint: My family likes the top and edges of the mac and cheese to be a bit brown. If this doesn't happen during baking, I'll broil it for 2-5 minutes before serving to give the top a little color.

    Substitutions

    Want to substitute an ingredient in GF Mac and Cheese? Here's how:

    • Cheddar cheese - use an equal amount of a different type of shredded cheese with a medium firmness such as gouda, colby jack or pepper jack.
    • Elbow macaroni pasta - use an equal amount of a different shape of gluten-free pasta in place of the macaroni noodles.
    • Dijon mustard - use regular yellow mustard in place of the dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon of ground mustard powder.

    Variations

    Try one of these variations of Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese:

    • Spicy - add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, an extra 4 Tablespoons of hot sauce or ⅓ cup of diced jalapeno peppers to the cheese sauce prior to adding the pasta.
    • Bacon - add ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon to the cheese sauce prior to adding the pasta.

    Or try this Jalapeno Mac and Cheese recipe (but omit the flour and butter, use gluten-free pasta and follow the amounts and directions on this recipe for Gluten-Free Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.)

    Equipment

    This equipment comes in handy when making Gluten-Free Mac n Cheese:

    • pot
    • colander
    • silicone spoon
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • whisk
    • 13x9 casserole dish

    Storage

    Store cooled leftover Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the macaroni in an airtight container prior to baking or after baking for up to 3 months. (See this article for more information on freezing and thawing mac and cheese.)

    Top tip

    The flavor and texture of Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese are better when using freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Pre-shredded bagged cheese can be used in place of shredding your own cheese, just know it changes the texture and flavor of the dish a bit.

    FAQ

    Is there gluten in mac and cheese?

    Traditional mac and cheese has gluten in the pasta and also often has gluten in the form of flour used to thicken the sauce. So, yes, there is gluten in mac and cheese. Mac and cheese can be made gluten-free by eliminating the use of any flour and by using gluten-free pasta.

    Related

    Looking for other gluten-free recipes like this? Try these:

    • A bowl of cooked Slow Cooker Venison Chili topped with sliced avocado, chopped cilantro and sliced jalapenos.
      Slow Cooker Venison Chili
    • A bowl of Cottage Cheese Ranch surrounded by veggies.
      Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
    • A bowl of cottage cheese queso surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Cottage Cheese Queso Dip
    • A bowl filled with Bunny Bait recipe.
      Bunny Bait Recipe (Easter Snack Mix)

    Pairing

    Serve this Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese with one of these dinner recipes for a balanced meal the whole family will love:

    • A platter with cooked and sliced Venison Meatloaf on it.
      Venison Meatloaf
    • A cooked Venison Burger on a bun with arugula and tomato.
      Venison Burgers
    • A plate of oven roasted smoked sausage and potatoes.
      Oven Roasted Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
    • A platter with cooked Parmesan Mealoaf cut into slices.
      Parmesan Meatloaf

    Recipe

    A pan of baked gluten-free mac and cheese.

    Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

    Shannon
    This easy Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese is a delicious and crowd-pleasing side dish that compliments a variety of meals.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 people
    Calories 179 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 pot
    • 1 colander
    • 1 silicone spoon
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • 1 whisk
    • 1 9 x 13 casserole dish

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 (12 oz) box gluten-free elbow macaroni pasta
    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, then drain and set aside.
    • Preheat oven to 425.
    • Return the empty pasta pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the milk, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper to the pot, whisking to combine. Cook and stir until the mixture is hot, 5-10 minutes.
    • Add all but ½ cup of the shredded cheese to the pot with the milk, stirring to combine and continuing to cook and stir until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Then, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta. (At this point you can eat the macaroni as is or proceed with the directions to bake it.)
    • For baked macaroni and cheese, spread the pasta and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish and top with the reserved ½ cup of cheese. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes, then cool for 5 minutes prior to serving.

    Notes

    My family likes the top and edges of the mac and cheese to be a bit brown. If this doesn't happen during baking, I'll broil it for 2-5 minutes before serving to give the top a little color.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 446IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 318mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword GF mac and cheese, gluten-free baked mac and cheese, gluten-free mac and cheese, gluten-free mac n cheese, gluten-free macaroni, gluten-free macaroni and cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food safety

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    More Healthy Side Dish Recipes

    • A cooked Green Bean Artichoke Casserole.
      Green Bean Artichoke Casserole
    • A cooked head of Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese.
      Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Cheese
    • A plate of cooked spinach and feta.
      Spinach and Feta
    • A bowl of Tomato and Bocconcini Salad drizzled with balsamic glaze.
      Bocconcini Tomato Salad

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Shannon

      June 06, 2023 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      The BEST Mac and Cheese!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Shannon! I’m a work-at-home wife and mom to 3 active boys. Our family recently relocated to Columbus, Ohio and are making our home in the Midwest. Since a young age, I’ve had a deep love for food, with many of my favorite memories revolving around sharing a meal with special people.

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    A pan of baked mac and cheese.